| October 10, 2003
News Release King County Executive Ron Sims will join residents of Preston at a square dance tonight to celebrate purchase of the last piece of land critical to completing the long dreamed-of vision of Preston as the regional gateway to the Snoqualmie Valley. Fearing the impacts of encroaching growth, the citizens of this small rural timber town 22-miles east of Seattle along Interstate 90 banded together to develop a plan for their future. They met with Executive Sims and in 1997 and together created a partnership to articulate the critical role this city plays in linking the past, present and future of King County. They called the dream the "Preston Vision." "Preston is in a unique location," said Sims. "It sits at the gateway to the Snoqualmie Valley and on the edge of urban/suburban growth. The community realized growth posed a threat to the character of the community and its rural lifestyle." "Together, we mapped out a vision to retain the historical, natural cultural resources to benefit not only people who lived there, but all of us in King County. Now, the land for the vision is a reality." Executive Sims will help celebrate the ambitious six-year, $7.7 million effort that successfully preserved open space in and around the historic lumber-mill town at the Preston Vision Celebration and Annual Dessert Social, 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 10, at the Preston Community Center, 8625 310th Ave. SE, Preston. In September, the county purchased the Wickersham Property for $341,000, with help from Trust for Public Land. It represented the last property acquisition outlined in the Preston Vision, a collaborative plan to ensure the rural character of the area by preserving and enhancing critical natural resources and recreation. Sims praised the "critical support" of the Preston Community Club, Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust and the Trust for Public Land. King County provided $7,710,000 for Preston Vision land acquisitions, with the value of land preserved at $11,920,000. The acquisitions have protected 694 acres, which connect to 1,700 of Grand Ridge Open Space and 1,000 acres of state DNR land. "In the hundred-mile Mountain-to-Sound Greenway landscape the Preston parcels were some of the most critical and challenging to save because they are so close to the urban area," said Nancy Keith, executive director of the Greenway Trust. " It was really the rapid mobilization of the Preston citizens to campaign for these lands and the support for rural values they found in the County Executive and the King County Council that saved this landscape. "The value of these investments will increase over time as more people live in the region and treasure this corridor of trees," according to Keith. "The community has done an excellent job of defining what they think is important to preserving the quality of life," said Roger Hoesterey, Northwest Regional Director for the Trust for Public Land. "Land acquisition is the foundation of the Preston Vision and this is a great example of what local communities can accomplish by working in partnerships." "We are proud to be part of this effort and thank Ron and the many others who helped make this happen," said Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands Doug Sutherland. "By preserving a balance of areas for open space and working forests, we can be sure that these wonderful forests will be here for generations to come." "It's really exciting when a community comes up with their vision for their future, and goes to government for help in getting the job done and then it all comes together," said Doug McClelland, Preston Community Club president. "In Preston we saw, in short order, the vision become a reality. This project has left the community with a great feeling about what can get done with King County when we put our heads together to work for the common good." "The positive energy and commitment of the community members means this historic town will remain surrounded by green trees and open space and kids will have a place to play ball," said Executive Sims. "The people of Preston did the work necessary to guide King County in acquiring key lands that otherwise could have been developed." This week the 10-acre Preston Ballfield Park, in partnership with Issaquah Little League, received a $50,000 Youth Sports Facilities grant from King County Parks. King County Preston Vision acquisitions include:
Collaboration and creativity is evident in the myriad funding sources combined and leveraged to acquire Preston Vision lands. Funding sources included Real Estate Excise Tax (REET), Conservation Futures, Forest Legacy Funding, Federal Highway Beautification Funds, Early Action ESA funding and FEMA Flood Buyout funding. In addition, Port Blakely Communities and Hooker Family Trust both donated substantial land value in conjunction with the Transfer of Developments Rights program on the Mitchell Hill acquisitions. All of these combined efforts preserved more than $11 million worth of land to complete the Preston Vision. "We have accomplished so much together," said Sims. "The foundation is in place for more wonderful work to be done." Photo Opportunity: King County Executive Ron Sims will join Preston citizens in a community square dance tonight, 7 p.m., at the Preston Community Center. Directions: Take I-90 to Preston/Fall City Rd exit #22. Head north for about one block and turn right onto Preston/Fall City Rd. Continue past the Chevron station, approximately 1/4 mile. The Preston Community Center is located on the left side of the road. It is a rock-faced, lodge-style building. Related Information
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